Love this lingerie? You can share it on social media with the links below! Find more in the accompanying book.

Warner’s “Merry Widow” corset / Embroidered nylon, elastic, c.1957, USA | Photo: Eileen Costa © MFIT

Warner’s released its first line of “Merry Widow” foundation garments in 1952. The collection was inspired by the release that same year of the movie The Merry Widow, whose star, Lana Turner, was featured wearing an elaborate, long-line corset. While Warner’s Merry Widows changed in style over the course of the 1950s (and only occasionally resembled the styles worn by Turner), they were all promoted for their ability to shape the fashionable wasp-waisted silhouette. “Audacious the way Warner’s Merry Widow belittles your waist, makes the most of your charms. All at once you’re inches smaller!”¹ boasted one advertisement. Merry Widows were designed to reduce the measurement of the waist up to three inches.²

SHARE   000